Better or worse? Neither...its just a different department. You will have some different priorities than many sheriff's office's though.
Generally speaking, this is how tests usually go for a police department:
1) Physical test (easy)
2) Written test (ranges from "can you read english" to "memorize the stupidest detail possible in the 5 minute speech we give and give 20 answers based on it")
3) Background investigation (If you have any felony convictions, don't bother.)
4) Oral Interview (easy for me, difficult for others.)
The eligibility list has now been established. You are ranked based on your scores and performance in the above areas. You are NOT hired at this point. Dependant on ranking, you may get called in 2 weeks or 2 years. These lists generally last about 2-3 years, at which point they test again.
Ok...now once you get OFFERED employment, you have another set of tests to go through.
5) Psychological (if you arent insane when you enter, you are when you leave)
6) Medical Examination (includes a drug test, blood draw, ECG reading, chest x-ray, vision, hearing)
7) Polygraph (lie detector. Some departments are moving away from this)
8) Final interview and offer of employment.
AFTER you are hired, you need to be trained.
12-26 weeks in an academy.
3-6 months after that with a field training officer.
Once you are out on your own, you are still on probation. You can be fired for any reason, so don't screw up.
EDIT: Info on them:
Age:
20-35 years of age (as of written test date).
Vision:
The candidate must read from a standard Eye Test chart.
If eyeglasses or hard contact lenses are worn, uncorrected vision must be no less than 20/40 in each eye and corrected to 20/20 in each eye. Applicants who have successfully worn soft contact lenses for the past 12 months are not required to meet an uncorrected standard, as long as their corrected vision is 20/20 in each eye. Normal color vision is required as assessed by the Farnsworth-Munsell D-15 test. An X-Chrom Lens is prohibited.
Health:
Good health. Must be free from any physical, mental or emotional condition that would prohibit the full performance of all the essential duties and functions of a CHP officer.
Education:
High school diploma, GED, or California High School Proficiency Examination.
Highly desirable: possession of a degree, Associate of Arts or higher, from an accredited college; also, additional course work or advanced skills in the following areas: English, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and composition; reading and comprehension; mathematics (used for traffic accident calculations); typing and computer skills (many officers use computers for reports, and most patrol vehicles currently have or will have computers); bilingual; physical fitness; other helpful courses may be social sciences such as sociology and psychology.
Conduct:
No felony convictions and good personal conduct; must possess a California driver license upon appointment to the Academy. The CHP has strict guidelines relating to the personal characteristics required for employment as a law enforcement officer. During the QAP Oral Interview, and later during the Background Investigation, a candidate is evaluated relative to an established set of automatic disqualification criteria. Candidates are asked questions relating to the RECENCY AND FREQUENCY of traffic citations, at-fault automobile collisions, illegal drug usage, arrests and convictions.
If you have any concerns regarding whether you may have an issue in your background which may lead to disqualification, it is highly recommended that you contact the CHP Applicant Investigation Unit for assistance PRIOR TO beginning the selection process. While our investigators cannot divulge the CHP's specific disqualification criteria, through a candid dialogue with you they can provide guidance and assistance in helping you evaluate your personal characteristics as they relate to the CHP's automatic disqualification criteria. The Cadet Hiring Unit can be reached Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) at (916) 375-2180.
Citizenship:
United States Citizen or permanent resident immigrant who is eligible and has applied for citizenship; must be a United States citizen at time of appointment.
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